Heating Up Hawaii

by Carmen Falcone

  The flight attendant nodded and came back a few seconds later with a glass of sparkling water on a silver tray. She handed it to Penny, who held the glass in her hand, the tip of her fingers drumming against the perspiring surface.

  “You seem tense.” He said after the flight attendant left. Penny held her large bag open with one hand while the other one fumbled inside. He glanced down, and remembered how she always had a travel size lotion with her when she worked in NYC. Were her hands still very soft?

  “I am.”

  Luc caressed the corner of his tablet, his fingers making circles on the edges. Soon both of her hands buried inside the bag. He cleared his throat. She raised her eyes to his, and for a moment, he caught an expression of awareness.

  Luc glanced out the window. The blades of the wing began to spin.

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Luc, I don’t know if I can do this.” Her voice wavered. The air grew stuffy and heavy.

  He smiled as her hazel eyes turned into two enormous glossy marbles. “You can do this, Penelope.” She probably meant working for him, but he didn’t care. Taken by impulse, he tossed his tablet to the rosewood table next to him, and moved to sit in the chair next to hers. He clasped her damp palm inside his. Her fingers trembled. “We both can.”

  The engine roared, and he looked deep into her eyes, savoring each moment. Maybe some mistakes were made to be…enjoyed.

  “Say that to the pounding in my chest,” she panted.

  He rested his hand on her heart, which beat wildly. Almost as fast as his. “Penelope, look at me.” Luc cupped her face with his hands.

  Contradiction hit him in the gut and he wished to see the woman she once had been. The cooking challenged partner who had managed to burn noodles and rice, both in the same week. The compassionate woman who didn’t want to let people down. The fiery lover who was always eager to learn.

  “I can’t take it anymore,” she whispered as the plane took flight.

  Neither can I. His heart leapt off his ribcage. She wanted him, he realized as she unbuckled her safety belt and wiggled out of her seat.

  Unfortunately, she had other plans as she rushed to the restroom, mumbling “excuse me,” before she raised both hands to cover her mouth.

  ***

  Penny washed out her mouth for the third time, turned off the tap, and dried her hands and face with the soft embroidered towel.

  For some reason, during her post-Luc life, anytime that she threw up she would instinctively place her hand on her belly and remember…

  Penny shook her head. No time for that now.

  She hugged herself. Running was not an option, but she would do anything to bypass facing Luc after being in there for over twenty minutes. She had just mumbled something when someone had knocked on the door.

  She chewed on her dry lower lip when she returned to the main cabin and dug her fingers in her hair, pretending to put it in a ponytail. She didn’t even have a rubber band to tie it up, but it didn’t matter. The gesture helped her focus on the wall and not on Luc, who stood up at her arrival.

  “Feeling better?” His voice was courteous, but there was another layer she couldn’t put her finger on.

  She instinctively touched her cheeks. “Better? I’m not there yet. I’m between awkward and embarrassed.” She tried to speak lightly, as she sat down and grabbed the first magazine from the built-in shelf on the side.

  He followed her cue and sat too, in his original place in front of her. She looked down at the magazine and skimmed the pages without reading one single word printed on them.

  “Penelope, there’s no need for you to feel embarrassed. I understand.”

  She tossed the magazine on her lap and assessed him. He glanced at her with a mix of concern and frustration. It hit her then that he’d been supportive of her fear of flying. Luc must have seen it in her eyes.

  “Yes, you said you have it too, right?”

  He frowned.

  “When you said we could both do this. I presumed you hate flying as much as I do.”

  “Oh.” He tilted his head, as if trying to figure out a complex math equation. “I meant we could both work on getting over your fear. That I could help.”

  Penny nodded. Of course. To imagine a man like Luc Leoni fearing flying out of all things… she couldn’t imagine him fearing anything, actually. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t her problem. He wasn’t her problem.

  “You don’t have to.”

  “Did you always fear flying?” he asked, and she knew better than to ignore his question. Whenever Luc sensed she hid something, he would just dig deeper for more information. Some things never change.

  “As you know, my parents divorced when I was nine.” Her voice steadied as she went along. “My mom sent me on a trip to go see my grandmother in Florida the summer when it happened, to give her a chance to digest everything. That was my first time flying by myself. The crew was nice, but we hit turbulence and I got scared.”

  There. Give him the simplified version. No need to turn their professional relationship into a heartfelt exchange. The man before her barely reminded her of the Luc in the past. The light, carefree Luc no longer existed.

  “I guarantee you there’s nothing to fear. You couldn’t be safer than in this jet.”

  She could have laughed at his rationalization, at the irony of Luc suggesting she’d feel safe in his jet. With him, of all people.

  The efficient flight attendant made a round with more water and crackers. Of course the woman knew she’d just been sick. Great.

  “Now I’m full-on embarrassed,” she whispered after the coiffed blonde left and glanced at the crackers.

  Luc smiled. Not the kind of smile he’d display if her pathetic situation had really amused or entertained him. No. It was a purely sympathetic gesture, making her wonder which one would be worse.

  “I asked her to bring these. Drink plenty of water, eat some crackers, and rest. You’ll feel better soon.” He stared at her intently, and arched a black brow. His interest made her feel uncomfortable, and vulnerable.

  He probably wonders what kind of messy public relations consultant I must be, since I can’t even keep it together during a simple flight.

  “You talk like you have experience dealing with…sick people,” she chuckled. Of course it was a joke, because she doubted he ever spent enough time around the same woman to share sickness and health. Hell, even the health part was probably a stretch. She had the internet browser to thank for her in-depth knowledge of his revolving-door dating life.

  “I read that in an article somewhere.” His smile faded, and he sobered. His features hardening like granite.

  Did I say something wrong? Again, that new Luc appeared before her. Closed up. Distant.

  “There is a room in the back. You should lie down. A real bed will make you feel more comfortable.”

  Penny nodded. “A room? I wondered what that door led to.” She glanced behind her. “Thanks, Luc, but I could never intrude.” Lying on a bed inside a jet ranked high on her list of things she’d never thought possible in her lifetime. Lying on a bed inside a confined area, as luxurious as it could be, that close to Luc, surpassed the latter possibility. How could she relax?

  “You aren’t intruding. You are my employee and I need you in good health. It makes sense that you rest.” His tone made it clear it was not a suggestion.

  Penny yawned. She wanted to find something witty to say in return, but her overtired mind started to catch up with her body. Maybe relaxing wasn’t such a bad idea.

  “Of course.” She retreated to the suite at the end of the jet, complete with a queen size bed, a sleek built-in plasma television, and light brown wallpaper. There was no doubt that this was a man’s room. Luc’s room.

  She sat on the bed and touched the soft cover. Who would have thought that he’d accomplished all of this?

  Penny braced herself. She had.

  A man who expected his girlfriend to look the othe
r way as he courted the investor’s daughter just to grab the opportunity to pitch to her father obviously knew no boundaries.

  A familiar anger skated up her body. If she told this story to her old man, she’d bet he would take Luc’s side. She could almost hear her Dad’s whispering in her ear as tears soaked down her school uniform. It’s for the greater good, Penny. No one needs to know.

  Penny stood up.

  Somehow, the confinement in the small suite suffocated her more than sharing the main cabin with him. The last thing her overworked mind needed was enough material to imagine Luc sprawled on the bed as he touched the alarm clock attached to the wall. It was too intimate.

  She touched her neck, and wished she could untie the knot inside her throat. Then, she opened the door and marched to her seat again.

  “Do you need anything?” He frowned. He had a coffee cup in his hand, and a few sheets of paper scattered on the table.

  “I can’t lie down. I need to be in the upright position.” She buckled up and stretched her hand to the console. A second later, a fluffy apricot blanket covered most of her body.

  “Try to sleep.” He told her softly, although his eyes didn’t move from the contract he held.

  Thankfully, she did sleep through the landing.

  By the time she woke they were on firm ground. A member of the crew transported her small suitcase from the jet into a four-wheeled green truck. The large high tires made her feel short.

  “Ready?” Luc offered her his hand to climb up into the cab.

  She nodded, and with one lift he helped her into the truck as if she were as light as a feather. Once inside, Penny pulled the hem of her dress down, and crossed her legs.

  “I thought you were into sleeker cars.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Penelope,” Luc said casually.

  I already know enough.

  A flicker of amusement flared in his eyes. To escape from his silent inquiry, Penny turned her head to the car window.

  Although it was nighttime, the hanging fronds of the large coconut trees swayed along with the breeze and stood high against the stars twinkling in the sky. Luc stepped on the pedal, and she immediately pushed the button to lower the car window.

  She slipped her head outside, feeling reenergized as the wind hit her face. She closed her eyes and soaked in the sweet scent of the sugarcane plantations they drove past.

  “You don’t mind the wind in your hair?” Luc asked her with a surprised look.

  “Not one bit.” She enjoyed the fresh, clean air.

  He grimaced, and whatever went through his head he chose not to share.

  When the car slowed in front of The Leoni, Penny exhaled in complete awe. The resort had to have at least thirty floors, all well-represented by an elegant façade that blended white and gold, the architecture with influences from the Italian Renaissance. As he parked the car and they walked inside, she appreciated the white marble floors and off-white walls accentuated by various shades of gold, from dark to sparkling, spread through the accent pieces, sculptures, and art frames.

  The reception desk was in front of an enormous glass wall, with exquisite views to the lagoon-style Polynesian pool that wrapped the hotel front. She could see why this was an adult-only property… The decadent décor and activities sounded like the perfect getaway for newlyweds, couples who wanted to take a vacation from everyday life, or single adults who sought relaxation and luxury.

  The front desk agent simply handed them keys, with no questions asked. They crossed the virtually empty lobby and she noticed there were no guests or other employees around. She smelled fresh paint on the walls, and noticed a few maintenance signs scattered through a hallway with a big DO NOT ENTER sign to prevent people from circulating in that area.

  “Are there any guests staying here?” she asked him as they got inside the elevator.

  “We started taking reservations a couple of weeks ago to get the staff back into the groove. Guests are staying in the north wing, which was less affected.” Luc pressed the buttons. “We are in the south wing, the part damaged by the storms. The remodeling is almost complete. We just need some finishing touches for the re-opening party, when we’ll work on full capacity.”

  Of course, it all made sense. As the hotel owner, he considered the guests’ comfort first. The elevator stopped on a high level, and she glanced down at the carpet, a soft gold with a white L monogram displayed every couple of feet. It smelled and looked brand new.

  She followed him through a spacious and elegant hallway, with guest phones and asymmetrical mirrors in every corner. She couldn’t brush off the hint of nostalgia. Luc had taught her how to do hotel inspection once, when the NYC hotel had wanted employees to experience every single department. Of course back then, it’d been different.

  She stopped short. I must be crazy for doing this. Luc Leoni was the reason she hadn’t considered marrying someone for years until Darren came along and she saw him as enough of a non-threat to let him in her life.

  And still, she hadn’t been able to take the last step.

  I ran because Darren wasn’t the man for me. It had nothing to do with Luc. Nothing.

  “Is everything okay, Penelope?” He stopped and turned to face her.

  Okay? Everything was far from okay. Issues she’d thought were buried deep in her brain had returned with open-wound freshness. Luc made her think of her past, of her decisions, of her mistakes. And she didn’t need any of it.

  She simply nodded which prompted him to stroll down to a room at the very end of the hallway.

  Only three more weeks until the re-opening party. I will get my references, and when I open my business I will rejoice. Pretty soon, Luc will be far away from me. For good.

  He halted, and gave her a plastic keycard. “This is your suite.” He glanced at the door in front of her and then his eyes searched hers.

  “Thanks.” Her fingertips trembled from the brief contact with his.

  He nodded, and with only a couple of strides, he reached another door, the one next to her. Blood pounded in her veins when he took another keycard from his pocket and slid it into the slot.

  “Is that where you’re staying?”

  “Yes, this is my suite.”

  “With an enormous hotel like this, it’s funny that we are neighbors.” A little strangled chuckle escaped from her lips. There wasn’t anything funny about this.

  “It’s easier for housekeeping to clean the rooms, since most of this wing is still deserted.” He gave a long sigh, his expression blasé. “Is there a problem?”

  “No.” She tightened her hold on the door handle in her hands. “No problem at all.”

  Chapter Four

  A week in, and the beachfront view from her balcony still arrested Penny whenever she glanced past the golden curtains that flowed all the way down to the high-thread carpeted floor.

  Tall coconut trees and their long leaves framed the ocean’s sparkling blue waters and the pristine beige sand. Most of the time, tourists crowded the beach. They sunbathed, maneuvered sleek speedboats or simply strolled along the sea.

  Not today. Today, solitude had washed off any liveliness at the beach. Almost deserted. She remembered the silly questions her teenage friends had asked her during slumber parties. Who would you take on a desert island with you? She often named a singer from a boy band instead of the boy next door, who was the one she really had a crush on.

  She chewed on her lower lip. Nowadays, who would she name?

  Not Luc. Although their suites were side by side, she hadn’t seen him much. He’d introduced her to Brad, the friendly resort manager, and had a couple of meetings with her about goals and expectations. However, Brad had usually participated in those.

  She’d found out their suites actually adjoined, but of course only if both of them wanted, would a door in each room open and turn into a ridiculously enormous penthouse.

  Every time she looked at that door, a strange sensation coursed
through her. It bothered her that a simple grasp of the handle would unlock a world of sexual excitement and bittersweet memories. Sometimes, she could almost hear the click in her head. Which was crazy, because even if she was foolish enough to open her door, it didn’t mean he would open his.

  No. She had to look at the door and remember all she’d been through with Luc. All her losses.

  A knock on the door startled her out of her contemplation.

  She sighed, smoothed her orange sweater and white skirt with her hands, and headed to open the door. “Luc.” She acknowledged the man in front of her.

  “I’m leaving for Paris for a couple of days,” he told her, business-like and distant. She made a motion with her hand for him to enter her suite, and they both sat on separate sofas in the living area.

  He wore a suit jacket over a patterned tee shirt and worn jeans. This was the most informal he’d looked since she’d met him. Her heartbeat turned into an ascending drumming when she realized his casual clothes enhanced his strong arms, long legs and tight butt even more.

  “Water?” She got on her feet and grabbed the crystal glass carafe on the top of the minibar.

  He shook his head. “Brad mentioned to me you had an interview in the works. I just wanted to make sure I’ll be back by then.”

  She cleared her throat, and poured water into the long glass.

  “It’s in the works. I’m waiting to hear back from the local channel.” She raised the glass to her lips, the cool water soothing the dryness clogging her throat.

  “Well, you just let me know then.” He stood up.

  “There’s one more thing, Luc,” she said before he turned. “I found out in my research that you’ve been giving large donations to special needs organizations and children’s hospitals.”

  She felt wrong in assuming he had the enormous tax write-off in mind, but the point was he contributed to the cause. After she’d lost her grandma to cancer, she’d also started to make monthly donations to cancer research institutes, though she doubted her contributions made a huge difference. Still, that monthly check gave her heart a bit of relief when she thought of Nana.